Breech-loading firearm.



R. G. PACKARD, 1n.

BREECH LOADING FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21, 1916.

1,2Q2A16. Patented Oct. 24,1916.

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R.- G. PACKARD, JR.

BREECH LOADING FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILEO MAR. 21. I916.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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BREECH LOADING FIREARM.

APPLlCATION FILED MAR. 21. I916.

MERRY-T WW1 Patented Oct. 24, 1916. 4 SHEETSSHEET 4 RALPH G. PACKARD, JR., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BREECI-I-LOADING FIREARM.

Application filed March 21, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH G. Paoxanm.

J12, a native-born citizen of' the United States, residing at No. 84 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York, after extensive experience with the most successful bolt-lock and other guns, under various conditions of heat, cold, rain, sleet, and snow and in many lands, in the four quarters of the globe, have invented (originally for my own use on my own guns) certain new and useful Improvements in Breech-Loading Firearms, which, after careful testing, have proved so efficient and satisfactory that I desire to secure Letters Patent therefor, and of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to secure greater accuracy, safety, simplicity, ease, and quickness of manipulation, and the elimination of serious defects in existing guns.

In both drawings and specification like letters and numerals indicate like parts.

Figure l is a side view of a bolt-lock gun, showing length of range between sights and nearness of my peep-sight to the eye. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the handgrip and lock. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the hand-grip, peep-sight, trigger-guard and entire lock except the firing pin of which a side view is given. Fig. 5 is an enlarged rear-end view of a portion of Fig. it, looking forward in direction of the arrow in Fig. 4'. Fig. 6 is a side view of my hooked and corrugated hand-grip, preferably, for increased strength, formed in one piece with the cartridge magazine. Fig. 7 is a plan and Fig. 8 a side View of the lower part of my trigger-guard and the entire piece of which said portion of the trigger-guard forms a part. Fig. 9 is a rear-end view of the same. Fig. 10 is a rear-end view, Fig. 11 a plan, and Fig. 12 a side view of the upper or sliding part of my trigger-guard mounted on the cooking piece. Fig. 13 is a top view or plan, Fig. 14 a side view and Fig. 15 a rear elevation of the guide post K of Figs. 2 and L. Fig. 16 is a plan, Fig. 17 a side view and Fig. 18 an end view of the trigger-lever J of Figs. 2 and 4. Fig. 19 is a. side view, Fig. 20 a plan and Fig. 21 a rear view of the thumb-trigger 1 of Figs. 2 and -l. Fig. 22 is an enlarged side view Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

Serial No. 85,540.

of the upwardly projecting thumb-trigger bearing P with its annular groove (6 of Fig. 2.

Thumb-triggers on the upper side of the stock as heretofore constructed, have been unsatisfactory from lack of proper safety guards and are seldom seen. Inguns, as now constructed, the triggers for discharging them, are below the stock and within open sided guards. There are several'objections to this rconstruction, the first and greatest being its liability to that accidental discharge which has caused the wounding and death of so many people.

Another important objection is, that these triggers are operated by pressure of the fore-finger of the right hand, which, with inexperienced users, produces a side movement, sufficient at the muzzle of the gun materially to affect the accuracy of the shot, and much practice is necessary before this movement can be avoided.

Another cause ofinaccuracy in shooting is the shortness of range between the sights caused by placing the back-sight some 16 or 18 inches from the eye; sometimes, in short barrel guns, more than half the distance from the eye to the foresight on the muzzle of the gun. This distance of the back-sight from the eye is necessary for easy and correct focusing of the eye on both sights and target when the usual open back-sight is used. This distance is not necessary nor possible with an orthoptic or peep backsight, which should be placed as near the eye as is consistent with safety. WVith the shortness of range between the sights above referred to, a slight inaccuracy of aim produces a wide divergence of the ball before it reaches the'target. This divergence decreases in proportion to the increase in length of range or distance between sights; and while this increased length of range greatly increases the accuracy of aim, the placing of the back-sight near the eye permits the use of a peep-sight aperture so much smaller than the pupil of the eye as to give almost absolute accuracy of aim. For this reason peep-sights have been placed on standards secured to the hand or grip of the gun. To this location of peep-sights, except for target practice, there are many objections :They are in the Way of the hand when firing and prevent a good, quick the present method of construction.

grip of the gun; the length of standard required to bring a sight so located, to the proper elevation, makes it'liable to loss of alinement and breakage, thereby unfitting it for practical use. 7 Being entirely unprotected, constant watchfulness is necessary to prevent it from catching in brush and striking against objects sure to cause inaccuracy of alinement. When used with a bolt gun, it must be hinged to turn down, so that the bolt may be brought back for cocking, discharging of shell and reloading. This in creases its liability to loss of alinement. It must be lowered (for cooking and recharging) and raised (for sighting) between shots. This takes time and prevents that quickness of reloading and firing often essential to successful shots. This is especially true in the pursuit of big game where quick firing is often necessary to prevent loss of life. For this reason it has become the universal custom to carry the gun at full cock. Various safety devices for locking the cooked gun have been invented and some one of these are found on most guns of modern make, but, as it takes more time to unlock than to cook the gun, those devices are a hindrance rather than help when the gun is in use. Even those who try to use them, in their haste, and sometimes fright, frequently forget to unlock and therefore lose their shots.

Some simple, efiicient and satisfactory device is urgently needed that does not require unlocking. This is found in my triggerguard and nowhere else, or I would not have troubled myself to invent it. But an almost equally serious objection to this location on the hand-grip is that it is too near the face and eye for safety of either from injury from recoil of the gun. Peep-sights have also been tried on the bridge of the receiver at its outer end. This is'much too far from the eye for a peep-sight and too near for an open one.

By shortening the distance between the comb and the butt-plate and increasing the drop of the stock, the peep-sight may be brought to within 4: inches of the eye without danger of injury from recoil of the gun. This gives greater length of range between sights, greater accuracy of aim and greater facility for quick sighting and firing. The peep-sight in this position is near enough to prevent strain and is practically equivalent to a sharper and finer pupil to the eye, while its long, broad base, strong construction and closely fitting slides hold it firmly in alinement. 1

The first defect and danger to which I have referred (liability to accidental discharge) is obviated'by fully guarding the trigger on five, instead of the partial and very imperfect guarding of two, sides as in The second defect (liability to side movement of gun) is obviated by a properly protected thumb-trigger operated by a slight tightening in the grasp of the hand. The third defect (inaccuracy of marksmanship from shortness of range between sights), is obviated by the location and stable construction of my sliding peep-sight so near the eye. The fourth and fifth defects (objectionable location of peep-sight and danger of injury to the face and eye) are also obviated by the location and construction of my peepsight.

For convenience of reference the separate parts will now be described in alphabetical order.

A, Figs. 1, 3 and at, is my advancing and receding peep-sight, shown in Fig. 1 in position for sighting before firing. It is brought to this position (advanced toward the eye) by the act of cooking the gun and recedes from the eye to the position shown in Fig. 2 in the act of discharging; this receding of the peep-sight gives additional safety from injury to the eye through recoil of the gun. It is mounted on the upper or sliding portion G of the triggerguard and moves with it. h/Ioreover, it is strong, stable and incapable of getting out of alinement.

B, Fig. 1, is the foresight on the muzzle of the gun.

C, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is a fragmentary portion of the gunstock.

D, Figs. 1 and 4, is the receiver within which is placed the bolt F, and other parts of the lock. 7

E, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is the handle of the bolt F, by which said bolt is manipulated.

F, Figs. 2 and 3, is a fragmentary portion, and in Fig. l, the whole of the hollow, reciprocating and slightly rotatable bolt that carries the firing-pin O, and spiral spring TV, which, though shown only in longitudinal section is coiled around said firing-pin O and by this spring this pin is actuated.

G, Figs. 2, a, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12, is the upper sliding portion of the trigger-guard on which the peep-sight A may be mounted. It is screwed or otherwise secured to the cocking-piece U, Figs 1, 11, 12, and forms a strong, broad, stable base for said sight.

G is the lower stationary portion of the trigger-guard. It is provided with grooves for the guidance and support of the upper or sliding portion of said guard. )Vhen the gun is cocked, the sliding portion G fully covers and protects the thumb-trigger, and is so constructed that, whether the gun is cooked or not, no grass, weeds, brush, or other obstruction can get between the sliding portion of the trigger-guard and the stationary portion thereof to stop the action of the firing-pin at a critical moment and endanger the life of the hunter when attacked by a wild beast in brush or jungle, or by an enemy when the soldier is lying in or creeping through grass, weeds, brush or the like.

H, Figs. 2, 1 and 6, is my improved handgrip with its hook (Z, for automatically bringing the hand and thumb into position for holding and firing, while 6, e, e, e, are slight hollows in said handgrip giving to each finger a separate and to the whole hand a firmer grip, especially serviceable in bayonet drill or charge. This hand-grip may be made in one piece with the cartridge magazine to give greater strength to the stock.

1, Figs. 2, at, 19, 20 and 21, is my protected thumb-trigger, thoroughly guarded on five sides when the gun is cocked as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

J, Figs. 2, 4:, 16, 17 and 18, is my triggerlever, which is here shown as pivoted within a slot in the lug L, and passing through a slot 0 in the guide post K, Figs. 2, 4: and 15, by which it is steadied from side-movement. It is also shown as passing through a slot in the thumb-trigger I, Fig. 21, which, in its turn, this post and lever serve to steady and support.

K, is a guide and steadying post between the hand-grip H and trigger-guard support, Figs. 2, l, 13, 14: and 15. It is provided with a slot 0, Fig. 15, through which the trigger lever J passes, as shown in Figs. 2 and at.

L, is a slotted lug projecting below the cheek-plates QQ, Figs. 2, 4 and 8, within which the trigger-lever J is pivoted.

M, Figs. 2 and at, is my lever-eccentric, pivoted to the sear l.

N, Figs. 2 and d, is the well-known sear of the Mauser type, and is pivoted at m to the lower side of the receiver D. It is provided with a lug I), which holds and releases the firing-pin by its engagement and disengagement with the lug V of the cockingpiece U, Fig. 12, and shown in engagement therewith in Fig. 4:.

O, is the firing-pin shown in Fig. 4 in side-elevation within its actuating spiral spring 1VWVVV, shown in longitudinal section between said firing-pin and the bolt F.

P, with its aperture is the water-guard bearing of the thumb-trigger I within which aperture the trigger works, Figs. 2, 4, 7, 8 and 22. This bearing projects upward in the present instance, within the fiXed portion l of the trigger-guard GG, and is provided with an annular or outside groove a, still further to guard against the entrace of rainwater or melting snow, which without this groove is liable to get into the bearing and lock.

Q Q, Figs. 7 and S, are cheek-plates to which the inner end of the receiver D is secured.

RR, Figs. 7, 8 and 9, are the grooves or guides within which the movable portion G of my trigger-guard slides, carrying with it my advancing and retreating peep-sight A, which is held by these grooves in firm, stable alinement.

S, Figs. 10, 11, is the slot in the lug T, into which the fixed, detachable or adjustable advancing and receding peep-sight A may be secured. This peepsight may be adjustable or otherwise according to the purposes for which the gun is to be used.

T, Fig. 10, is the lug or other device in or on which my advancing and receding peep-sight may be mounted, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 1 and 5. 4

U, Figs. 4:, 11 and 12, is the cocking-piece, sometimes called the nut of the firing-pin 0, when, as in the present instance, said pin is screwed into it.

1V, lV, 1V, is a longitudinal section of the spiral spring that actuates the firing-pin 0, Fig. at.

X, Figs. at and 6, is the magazine into which the cartridges are placed through its upper open side, depressing the springs i, 2', as the magazine is filled.

a, Fig. 4, is a spiral spring within a cylindrical receptacle on the short arm of the sear. This spring through its pressure against the lower side of the receiver D, and the bottom of its receptacle, holds in engagement the lugs b and V and the levers J and M, back to the set-screw 7c and trigger J, thus preventing back-lash or lost motion between these parts so that a very slight movement of the trigger will discharge the gun.

The cocking-piece U into which the firingpin C is screwed or to which it is otherwise secured; the spiral spring WV, by which the firing-pin is actuated; the hollow, sliding or reciprocating and slightly rotatable bolt F, with its locking lugs h, IL, h, and handle E, within which bolt the firing-pin O, with its actuating spring 7, also slides; and the receiver D, which holds or carries the bolt F and its contents; the sear N, with its spring n and slot within which my levereccentric M is pivoted; and the magazine X, Figs. 1 and 6, with its springs 2', z" for holding and handling the cartridges, are of the well-known Mauser type, common with slight modifications to all bolt action magazine rifles, for which reason no description of them has been given further than is needed to show the connection and operation of my improvement therewith.

' The improvements which I desire to protect by Letters Patent, are set forth in the following claims:

1. A breech-loading, bolt-lock gun provided with a peep-sight-trigger-guard, mounted on the cooking-piece of the lock, said trigger-guard being constructed to slide in tongue and groove guides on each side of the trigger-guard; a thumb-trigger having its head between the sides of the triggerguard and provided with a slot for the reception of the end of the trigger lever, and a slotted guide post through which said lever passes and by which the movements of said lever and trigger are guided; said gun being also provided with a hook-ended hand-grip having hollows or recesses for each finger said grip being also made in one piece with the cartridge magazine.

In a bolt-lock gun the combination of a thu1nbtrigger with a firing-pin carrying a trigger-guard sliding in tongue and groove hearings on each side of the base of the sliding portion of the trigger guard, and construe ed and arranged to leave no space wherein brush, grass or other obstructions can catch between the sliding and stationary portions of the triggerguard.

In a bolt-lock gun, the combination with a thumb-trigger, of a trigger-guard consisting of an upper reciprocating part mounted on the cocking-pin of said lock and provided with tongues (one on each side) sliding in grooves in a lower stationary portion of said guard.

4. In bolt-lock guns, a peep-sight mounted on the cocking-piece of said lock, and provided with a broad base, having tongue and groove bearings whereby said peep-sight is held in alinement.

5. In bolt-lock guns, the combination of a thumb-trigger with a peep-sight mounted on a sliding trigger-guard, said triggerguard being mounted on the cocking-piece of said lock and moving in tongue-andgroove or other suitable bearings on each side of said trigger.

6. In bolt-lock guns, the combination of a thumb-trigger provided with a slot to receive the end of the trigger-lever and a slotted guide-post through which said lever passes and by which this lever and the trigger are held in proper position.

T. In a bolt-lock gun, the combination of a peep-sight, cocking-piece, firing-pin and a trigger-guard sliding in grooves or other suitable guides on each side of the trigger, a guide-post provided with a slot for the reception of the end of the trigger-lever and the slotted guide-post through which said lever passes.

S. A thumb-trigger in combination with a water-guard bearing provided with an annular or outside groove.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 17th day of March, A. I). 1915, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

RALPH G. PACKARD, J11.

Vitnesses CHAS. P. BLEEGKER, EDWIN F. LINDER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. O. 

